In a heart-stopping finish on Tuesday night, Tyrese Haliburton executed a remarkable four-point play with just 3.4 seconds left, leading the Indiana Pacers to a narrow 115-114 victory against the Milwaukee Bucks. Haliburton received an inbounds pass from teammate Andrew Nembhard on the left sideline, where he took a daring fadeaway three-pointer that swished through the net. Simultaneously, he was fouled by Bucks' superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo upon landing, earning a chance to extend the lead at the free-throw line.
Haliburton calmly sank the free throw, giving the Pacers a crucial one-point advantage. The Bucks had one final opportunity to reclaim the lead, but Antetokounmpo's three-point attempt fell short, sealing the Pacers' victory. This win is significant for the Pacers, as they remain tied with the Bucks in the Eastern Conference standings, both sporting a 36-28 record and sitting in fourth place.
After the game, Haliburton described the winning shot as reminiscent of a football play, highlighting its execution. "It was great to see it work. The first time we ever ran the play in training camp two years ago, I made the shot the same way," he shared with ESPN. Despite his initial hesitance about running the play, Haliburton displayed confidence, stating, "I’ve shot that shot enough to know where I am on the court. It’s just a matter of getting it off. Just rose up. I jumped higher than I normally do. It just went in.”
Haliburton's performance was particularly impressive considering he had missed the last three games due to injury. He sported sneakers inspired by WWE legend Triple H and his iconic group, D-Generation X. Triple H himself acknowledged Haliburton's game-winning shot on social media, jokingly attributing the success to the shoes with a laughing emoji.
In addition to Haliburton's clutch performance, the Pacers received strong support from Pascal Siakam, who led the team with 25 points and 12 rebounds. On the opposing side, Antetokounmpo recorded a solid stat line with 19 points, 17 rebounds, and 7 assists, but his efforts were not enough to secure a win for the Bucks. Brook Lopez was the leading scorer for Milwaukee with 23 points and added seven rebounds.
In other NBA action, the Cleveland Cavaliers made headlines by overcoming an 18-point deficit in the third quarter to defeat the Brooklyn Nets 109-104. This victory not only marks their 15th consecutive win of the season but also ties the franchise record for the longest winning streak. Darius Garland led the charge with a game-high 30 points, including 18 vital points in the fourth quarter, stepping up in the absence of star guard Donovan Mitchell, who is sidelined with a groin injury.
Moreover, Jarrett Allen contributed significantly with 23 points and 13 rebounds, showcasing the team's depth and collective effort. The Cavaliers’ current record of 55-10 stands as one of the best in NBA history at this stage of the season, according to The Associated Press. As they prepare to face the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, the Cavs aim to set a new franchise record for consecutive wins.
Here are the final scores from Tuesday’s NBA games:
Detroit Pistons 123 - 103 Washington WizardsCleveland Cavaliers 109 - 104 Brooklyn NetsIndiana Pacers 115 - 114 Milwaukee Bucks